Emma Hayes calls Kadeisha Buchanan’s bizarre red card ‘the worst decision in Women’s Champions League HISTORY’ after Barcelona knocked out 10-man Chelsea in the semi-final.
- Emma Hayes slammed Buchanan’s red card following heartbreaking defeat
- She received a second yellow on the hour mark with a tie in play.
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Emma Hayes branded Kadeisha Buchanan’s red card “the worst decision in the history of the Women’s Champions League” after her Chelsea side suffered heartbreak against Barcelona.
The Blues had entered the second leg of their semi-final with a 1-0 advantage after last week’s victory in Spain, but a first-half goal from Aitana Bonmati brought Barca back into level terms before Fridolina Rolfo converts a penalty in the 75th minute.
Hayes felt the decision was “soft”, but was infuriated by referee Iuliana Demeterscu’s decision to give Kadeisha Buchanan a second yellow card on the hour mark with the tie hanging in the balance.
Replays showed Buchanan had won the ball, but as it was a second yellow rather than a straight red, VAR was unable to intervene.
“We were robbed,” Hayes said. “Even the Barcelona players said the referee was helpful to them. I didn’t think it was a foul, let alone a yellow card.
Emma Hayes (pictured above) has called Kadeisha Buchanan’s red card ‘the worst decision in the history of the Women’s Champions League’.
Hayes felt the decision was “soft”, but was infuriated by referee Iuliana Demeterscu’s decision to give Kadeisha Buchanan a second yellow card on the hour mark.
Replays showed Buchanan had recovered the ball, but as it was a second yellow rather than a straight red, VAR was unable to intervene.
“When you lose a game, for us we didn’t feel like we had the opportunity to lose it, it was taken away from us.
“I was surprised when I saw her (the referee) selected, she is known for her easy cards. This is probably the worst decision in the history of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
“I honestly believe we were on top of the game, we had just hit the post, we could feel the momentum going in that direction.
“I stood there and looked at the fourth official and said ‘surely this will be checked’ and she said ‘that’s not possible on a yellow. There’s nothing you can do when it’s such a terrible decision and it’s hard enough.
“The manager made a horrible decision. We can’t talk about anything else.
“I thought it was just as sweet but she’s an incredible player, Bonmati. Because Ash is outside of her, she’s smart. She leaves her leg there.
“Everything has to go as planned, two yellow cards, a deflection and a penalty, everything went as planned.”
Barca’s winning goal came from the penalty spot, but that decision was also controversial, with replays indicating that Bonmati had initiated contact from Ashley Lawrence.
Barca’s winning goal came from the penalty spot, but that decision was also controversial, with replays indicating that Bonmati had initiated contact from Ashley Lawrence.
“I thought it was just as sweet but she’s an incredible player, Bonmati. Because Ash is outside of her, she’s smart. She leaves her leg there.
“They didn’t have any big chances all evening. Until the second yellow, we were in the lead. I could feel the momentum from the crowd and the players.
“There’s nothing we can do about it. We expect the best from our officials. It’s really hard to bear.
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